Broken Top Brace

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MDGraves

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Feb 27, 2011
Doing some work to my tank today and found a very big problem, My top tank brace is cracked.  No other damage to the tank other then this, I am now draining it to fix this issue.  Does anyone know where I can get a new top brace?

IMG_0645.jpg
 
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shayneh

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Holy Crap! I would be more concerned with the nature of that crack. That is some serious flex going on to cause the plastic to crack there. My personal opinion would be to go get yourself a better (thicker glass) tank and save yourself a s-load of greif later on. Would have been interesting to see what a 4 foot level would have shown for bowing. All I can say is "better in your house than mine" lol I wouldn't have been able to sleep with the tank filled once I noticed that.
 
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MDGraves

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Feb 27, 2011
I just noticed it 2 min before I posted, the tank is snowy drained now.  Looking closer that crack was repaired before (used tank) I think the main issue is that there is only one brace on a 6th long tank
I need to get a double brace top to put on this tank if anyone knows where I can get one
Thanks
 
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Seggsy

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Nov 16, 2010
Location
Windsor, Ontario
As a teenager (that's my excuse anyway), I carried a 55g by the brace and busted it.  I did fill it with water before I realized that the brace was important - had over an inch of flex in the glass - scary crazy.  I put a clamp accross the top -> was a 12" threaded bar (like a big bolt), put that accross the top, and screwed some metal plates over that (then painted black) - believe it or not, I had it like that for 15 years before trading it.

But a new top sounds like a better idea.
 
pulpfiction1

pulpfiction1

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i would silicone a glass brace or 2 across the tank,ive had tanks that didnt have the plastic frame a still need the extra support,was at miracles tanks today and we discussed this very thing,i am goin back next week for the full tour and will post pics,i picked up some of the high strength silicone they use in clear and black and after the visit i would use no other when it comes to supporting the weightyou could run a glass brace directly under that plastic and would hardly notice it there
 
Blob-79

Blob-79

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Thats actually a pretty common issue in older long tanks. Your best bet for new plastic I think is miracles. I just read a thread not too long ago about this same things, I will find it and let you know
 
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MDGraves

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Feb 27, 2011
Thanks a lot guys, I would like to get a new top trim with 2 braces instead of some sort of repair job. I am putting a lot of effort into this build to have this fail in the future. I am really glad it happened now and not when I have it full of livestock
Thanks again for all the help

Mark, Dawn, and Bree pee, lol
 
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shayneh

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Blob-79 link said:
Thats actually a pretty common issue in older long tanks. Your best bet for new plastic I think is miracles. I just read a thread not too long ago about this same things, I will find it and let you know
Click to expand...

I ordered a new brace for an older tank I had from Miracles and it wouldn't fit. Turned out it was an older Miracles tank but that they didn't use that glass thickness anymore. So make sure it's designed to fit your tank specs before you order it and possibly get stuck with a giant useless piece of plastic...... Just my opinion but it's still a wierd spot for a crack to develop....I would be tempted to call Miracles direct and ask their opinion. If the tank itself is still decent you could look into eurobracing it too.
 
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MDGraves

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Feb 27, 2011
Please explain "euro bracing"
I left a msg at mericals for him to call tomorrow, I will explain my issue and what he thinks I should do. Sucks that I was getting so close to the next step of putting rock in the tank and getting it cycled, now this :( sad days
 
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The Box of Water

Guest
Hey....We Sell them at the store....usually takes a day or two to come in...

Darren
 
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MDGraves

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Feb 27, 2011
So far no luck on getting a new top frame, may have to go euro
Unless anyone else has an idea where I can look

Thanks
 
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